Hook Hockey

Corinthian – Women’s Division One

Last Season: Tenth, Division One; Jacqui Potter Cup first round

Coach: Colm Blennerhassett (1^st full season)

Players In: Georgina Fagan (Athlone)
Players Out: Fiona Purcell (retired)

Summary: Taking over mid-season through a winless campaign was always going to be tough but the reds looked a more competitive outfit toward the end of the 11/12 season. Zimbabwean international Chantelle Zeitsman played toward the tail-end of that campaign, ultimately helping to confirm her side’s place in the league with a 1-0 success over Three Rock in the playoff.

She was in her homeland for the African Nations Cup until last week and so joins preseason late and would have come back to a panel largely similar to the previous vintage with Fiona Purcell the one major absentee having retired.

There are plenty of youngsters on the way up and promotion from within is the guiding phrase. Wesley student Lauren McGrane was one such to benefit last term, earning the club’s young player of the year title and there are a couple of other potential players to rise to the challenge.

Blennerhassett is happy with an extensive preparatory phase with two matches against Cork Harlequins as well as fixtures against Ashton, Old Alex and Three Rock Ladies have given him a strong idea about where his side is currently at. Glenanne, first up, and Pembroke in week two are key games.

Early season fixtures
First Leinster league games: Sept 17 vs Glenanne (h); Sept 20 vs Pembroke (a); Sept 24 vs Loreto (h)
Irish Senior Cup: bye to round two

Twitter: @CorinthiansHock